Ordinary Time

Fall 2017

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Message of Reform

Alessandro Farnese was elected Pope Paul III in 1534 amidst very difficult times. Martin Luther had left the Church, and many German bishops, along with their kings, were separating from the faith. Part of the push for separation was financial, another part was political, and a third part was spiritual. The papal court and clerical life in Rome were often criticized, encouraging separation.
Pope Paul III started a reform by calling on nine respected cardinals to investigate the accusations and propose measures. The suggestions were received and true reform began to take root—although much of the success was due to the Council of Trent (called by the Pope in 1545) and the many saints active at the time: Ignatius, Philip Neri, Teresa of Ávila, Francis de Sales, Charles Borromeo, and others.
Another measure taken was to contract Michelangelo to paint two frescoes in the Papal Pauline Chapel—the conversion of St. Paul and the crucifixion of St. Peter—a kind of sixteenth-century marketing campaign. This chapel would send a message to all popes and the papal court; indeed, the frescoes challenged everyone in the Curia. Amidst the temptation to power and luxury, the pope was saying, “If you want power, it’s the power to serve which requires true conversion and embracing the cross.”
The chapel needed a pithy Latin phrase to drive home this message of reform. It comes from today’s second reading: “To me, life is Christ, and death is gain.” That’s a good phrase to live by as we seek our own ongoing conversion.

—Fr. Mark Haydu, LC

“For to me, life is Christ, and death is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

For Reflection

Do I love without strings attached or do I love to get something in return?

Directions to St. Patrick

Located at 32 Beech Street in Newport NH, the Church is fifteen minutes off of Interstate 89, exit 12. Follow Route 11W which becomes NH-103 W/NH-11 W/Sunapee St. Click here for more detailed information.

Directions to St. Joachim

Located at 5 Georges Mill Road in Sunapee NH, the Church is seven minutes off of Interstate 89, exit 12. Follow Route 11W; Church is across from the Sunapee Fire Station. Click here for more detailed infomation.